Like many open-world games, Borderlands 4 will feature numerous collectibles. However, to gather all the bobblehead figurines of Marcus, the arms dealer who dislikes refunds, players will have to put in considerable effort, as they are hidden in hard-to-reach locations.
According to Gearbox head Randy Pitchford, the idea for these collectibles stemmed from the studio`s desire to fully utilize the game`s enhanced movement system. Borderlands 4 introduces several new traversal options, including gliding, double-jumping, and using a grappling hook. Gearbox aimed to reward players for reaching the most remote corners of the map.
“Graeme Timmons, Borderlands 4`s creative director, along with our designers, artists, and engineers, decided we needed something for players to discover in these remote or uninhabited areas,” Pitchford tweeted. “We wanted an icon of sorts. Something consistent in each spot, so players would know they found it. The item had to be simple, recognizable, inspire a desire to collect, and ideally, have a genuine connection to our universe.”
Consequently, the Marcus bobblehead was chosen, and there`s even an in-game lore reason for their presence on the isolated planet of Kairos. As Pitchford noted, there are “well over 200” such figurines, and he anticipates that most players will never find them all. “A very, very small number of people will explore Kairos so thoroughly that they might discover every single one. Each has its own story,” Pitchford added, effectively challenging players by including a map of these collectible locations.
As its September 12 release date approaches, Gearbox has been actively showcasing Borderlands 4. A recent trailer highlighted the new Siren Vex in action, demonstrating her eerie abilities. The game also promises several gameplay improvements for the looter-shooter genre, including a highly anticipated volume slider for Claptrap.